How to Get Rid of a Cowlick

What is a Cowlick? 

Scientifically speaking, a cowlick is a genetically predisposed patch of hair that grows in a different direction from the rest of the hair due to hair follicle orientation determined during fetal development. In layman’s terms, it’s stubborn hair that sticks up. And since it’s genetic, you can thank your parents. 

How Do You Deal with Cowlicks?

If you have a cowlick, you want to take the bull by the horns, or in this case, the cow by the hair. Options include cutting it down to size, overpowering it, going with the flow and retraining it to do what you want. Let’s jump into each of these. 

Cut it Down to Size

One of the easiest ways to manage your cowlick is to cut the cowlick and the hair around it short so it no longer sticks up. Simply grab your hair clipper with a lower-numbered guard and go to work. Some shorter haircuts such as the buzz cut and easy cut are timeless staples that never go out of style. And they’re great for covering up cowlicks. 

Go Disconnected

Want to keep some length on top and still manage your cowlick? For guys with cowlicks at the crown of the head, a disconnected haircut, such as the Undercut, gives you the option to leave it longer on top and cut it short on the sides and back. To achieve this, take your hair clippers with a lower-numbered guard and use the cowlick as the starting point of where your hair is shorter. 

Overpower It 

Sometimes, all you need is a little willpower (and some hair product) to take down a pesky cowlick. If you’re determined, find a length that allows your cowlick to lay in the direction you want it to go. Then use your hair clipper with the right guard to keep it at that length. Follow with a dab of your favorite hair gel or pomade to get the cowlick to do what you want. Last, set it with some heat from your hair dryer. 

Retrain Your Hair 

Your hair is quite impressive. Think of it like a memory-foam mattress. If you wear it a certain way long enough, it naturally starts to move in that direction, at least until you wash it. Then the process starts over again. While it’s damp, move your cowlick in the direction you want it to go. Then add some product such as pomade or gel to help it stay in place. Finish with heat from a hair dryer to set it. 

Go With the Flow 

As they say, “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.”  If you aren’t a fan of any of [HM1] [HM2] the above options, you can always wave the white flag and let your cowlick dictate how you wear your hair. If your cowlick naturally sticks [HM3] [HM4] up a little to the left, find a hairstyle you’re comfortable with that lets you move the hair to the left. If it sticks straight up, experiment with a style that gives you some height on top. 

Where On Your Head Do You Most Often Find Cowlicks?

The most common places to find cowlicks are at the crown of the head and the hairline on the forehead. 

How Do You Know If You Have a Cowlick? 

You can spot a cowlick by the signature swirl of hair that naturally goes in a different direction than the other hair around it, often sticking up or out. A cowlick is especially easy to find if you comb your wet hair and notice the cowlick resists moving in the same direction as the rest of the hair.   

Can You Permanently Get Rid of Cowlicks?  

No, your cowlick is here to stay. But with the options mentioned above, cowlicks can be managed, so they aren’t as noticeable. 

What is the Best Way to Deal with a Cowlick? 

The two easiest ways to manage your cowlick are to cut your hair short so it blends into the rest of the hair and to grow your hair longer while using a combination of hair products and heat to move it in the direction you want it to go.